Electrolytic cell



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. A. LE S'UEUR.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

No. 450,104. Patented Apr. 7,1891.

i "Ta 055 VI/f/VTUR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST ARTHUR LE SUEUR, OF OTUHVA, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALE TO CHARLES N. VAITE, OF NEXVTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,104, dated April 7', 1891.

Application filed October 14, 1890. Serial No. 868,119. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ERNEST ARTHUR LE SUEUR, of Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Domillion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Cells, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming a parthereof, in which Figure 1 is a central vertical section showing a cell with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective of a carbon electrode removed.

My invention has for its object to produce a durable, economical, and eifeetive electrolytic cell especially adapted for the decomposition of the alkaline chlorides-as, for example, chloride of sodium in the production of chlorine and the hydrate of the base; and it consists of a cell having the peculiarities of construction hereinafter described, and which are more particularly pointed out in the claims which are appended hereto and made a part hereof.

My present invention is an improvement on that shown and described in an application for Letters Patentfiled by me in the United States Patent Office on the 27th day of February, 1890, Serial No. 341,957, allowed No vcmber 2t, 1800.

My present improvement will be readily understood from the following description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show the best form of my device now known to me.

A is an outer tank, which contains liquid, the liquid being a saturated solution of sodium chloride.

B is a cell of earthenware or similar acidresisting material, which is provided in the top with three holes to accommodate the three metallic supports 0 d c' of the positive electrode. The positive electrode, which is shown more clearly in Fig. 3, consists of a number of pieces of carbon, preferably gas-graphite, cut to substantially uniform length and cast in or otherwise secured to a backing or conducting plate of lead or other suitable material. The carbon electrode requires to be lowered as the carbons are used up by the action of the cell, and it also requires to be supported in the bell, and this is the primary func tion of the metallic supports 0 (Z c, which are provided with collars f, between which and the top of the stoneware bell are inserted wedges g, which serve to support the carbon electrode in a given position. It is also necessary that there should be an escape-pipe leading from the inside of the bell for the escape of the chlorine, a leading-in conductor for the passage of the electric current, and an inlet-pipe for the admission or withdrawal of the liquid inside the bell, in which the positive electrode is partially immersed, and the metallic supporting-rods c d e are each used for one of these inlets, so that each is utilized for two functionsviz., as a support for the positive electrode and as a means of ingress or egress for either the current, the liquid, or the chlorine.

The support, which is marked 0, consists of a heavy lead tube having inside it a lead conducting-pipe 72, which passes through it and through the backing of the electrode and opens into the space within the bell, which is filled with the chlorine which is formed at the positive electrode. By means of this tube h the chlorine gas is conducted to the proper receptacle or absorblug-chamber, where it is collected in the well-known manner. The support (Z also consists of a cylinder or tube of lead secured to the lead backing of the positive electrode, and the positive conductor j is placed in this lead tube and the tube filled with molten metal, thereby casting the conductor into it. The support c is also a cylinder or tube of lead, which is secured to the lead backing of the positive electrode, and inside of it is placed one leg 70 of a lead siphon, which projects downwardly to a point near the lead backing, where it is joined by means of a rubber band to a glass tube Z, (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1,) which projects downwardly into the liquid in the bell to a point as low as or slightly below the ends of the carbons of the positive electrode. The other leg m of the siphon projects downwardly into a vessel 12 of any convenient shape, which is placed outside the bell l3 and within the tank A. The vessel a is filled with liquid of the same level as the liquid within the bell, and the level of which is somewhat higher than that of the liquid in the tank r. The conductor j passes fromthe positive electrode to a stationary support 0, set inside the tank A, as shown in Fig; 2, and which serves to support a horseshoe-magnet p, the upper end of one leg of which is hollowed out to form a mercuryrcup q. A lever r is pivoted to a stud s, set in an upright 15 outside the tank A. (See Fig. 2.) One end of this lever projects over the magnet 13, and a finger or stud w therein projects normally into the mercury-cup. The current passes through this-lever, connection being made with it in any suitable manner, as by securing the positive wire to the stud s. The other end of the lever 1" has suspended from it a weight a, which'is normally wholly or almost wholly immersed in the liquid contained in the vessel 02, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Should the siphon m 70 act to reduce the level of the liquid in the vessel 42, the strain of the weight a on the lever 0' would be in creased until the magnetic influence of the horseshoe magnet was overcome, when the stud to would he suddenly raised out of the mercury-cup q and the circuit broken, thus stopping the action of the apparatus. In this way the circuit is suddenly broken at the proper time. The partial escape of the liquid within the bell will cause the siphon to act and the circuit to be broken.

The mouth of the bell is covered by a dia-.

phragm r of any suitable material, which is secured in place by being clamped between the edge of the bell and a metallic rings.

. The upper face of this ring-that is, the face rest thereon.

which is in contact with the diaphragm-and the edge of the bell require to be substantially smooth and regular, so that they may come together with some degree of precision. The metallic ring 5 is laid upon the negative electrode 15, which is preferably constructed of a number of layers of iron-wire netting, as shown, Fig. 1. and is in electrical contact therewith. The negative wire a is connected with the ring 8. The diaphragm 0' lies close to both electrodes, but it is nearer the negative electrode, and may, and in practice does, By using a metallic ring 5, which is connected with the negative electrode, and securing the diaphragm by clamp ing it between said ring and the edge of the bell, all leakage is effectually prevented by reason of the hydrogen gas which forms at the ring, and particularly that which forms at the upper surface thereof, next the diaphragm, and which operates to force the diaphragm up and hold it tightly against the edge of the bell. This method of securing the diaphragm is simple, cheap, and eifective, and obviates the necessity of using retainingrings, sealing the diaphragm with paraffine, and the like. By the arrangement of the positive electrode over the diaphragm the latter is kept from direct contact with the chlorine, and its durability is thereby increased. The bell is raised at one side by means of a block or, or in any other suitable manner, so that the diaphragm has a sufficient slant to permit of the ready escape of the hydrogen which is ,formed at the negative electrode, and the weight of the liquid inside the bell, the level of which is considerably higher than that of the liquid outside, serves to hold the diaphragm down and prevent it from bulging in case any accumulation of hydrogen should take place. In this way the diaphragm is kept flat-and the escape of the hydrogen facilitated, thus insuring the best action of the cell. \Vhen the diaphragm is worn out, the weight of liquid above it will rupture it, and as soon as it is'broken this liquid will escape, causing the siphon to act and the circuit to be broken, as heretofore described. To replace the diaphragm, the liquid is drawn 0d,

the bell raised, the old diaphragm removed,a new one put in position, and the belllowered again. The upper end of the part 7; of the siphon is extended above the part m, and serves to receive any gas which may collect in the siphon, thus preventing its being sealed as soon as it otherwise would be. Any wellknown appliance may be attached to this upward extension of the part k, for the purpose of drawing off any gas which may accumulate therein.

It will be clear that that feature of my invention which prevents the diaphragm from bulging, and thus approaching the positive electrodeviz., thehigher level of the liquid on the positive electrode side of the diaphragm-may be utilized regardless of the exact slant or position of the diaphragm. By this means the diaphragm may be prevented from approaching the positive electrode whenever it is so located that the liquid on the positive electrode side exerts a greater pressure upon it than the liquid on the negative electrode side.

It is further to be noted that the methodo packing the diaphragm and preventing leak-- age by utilizing the gas formed at the metallic ring .9, which is in connection with the negative electrode, is adopted for the purpose,

chiefly, of saving expense in the construction of the bell or holder which contains the-positive electrode and of the ring between which and the edge of the bell the diaphragm is clamped. If expense were of noimportance, the edge of the bell might be ground with great accuracy and a ring provided, which in that case might be of metal not connected with the negative electrode or of inactive material, also ground with great accuracy to meet the edge of the bell accurately, so that the gravity of the bell will be sufficient to clamp the diaphragm accurately and securely and prevent leakage. Practically, however, the method hereinbefore described, in which the bubbles of gas are utilized to insure the packing of the diaphragm and prevent leak.- age, is the most economical method and the one which I prefer.

What I claim is- I 1. An electrolytic cell comprising the combination, with a tank to contain liquid, of a bell in said tank, a positive electrode in said bell, a negative electrode below said bell, a metallic piece or ring in contact with said negative electrode, and a flexible diaphragm held between the said piece or ring and the lower edge of the said bell, whereby the gas which is formed between the said piece or ring and said diaphragm serves to pack the latter and prevent leakage, substantially as set forth.

2. An electrolytic cell comprising a bell of earthenware, a positive electrode therein, a diaphragm covering the mouth of said bell, a negative electrode, and a tank in which said bell is placed, the level of the liquid within the bell being higher than that of the liquid outside the bell, whereby the diaphragm is prevented from bulging, substantially as set forth.

An electrolytic cell comprising the combination, with a tank to contain liquid, of a bell in said tank, positive and negative electrodes, and a flexible diaphragm between said electrodes and covering the bottom of said bell, said diaphragm being adapted to maintain the liquid on the positive electrode side of the said diaphragm on a higher level than that of the liquid on the negative side of the diaphragm,whereby the diaphragm is kept from approaching the positive electrode, sub stantially as set forth.

a. An electrolytic cell comprising a bell of earthenware or similar material, a positive electrode therein, a negative electrode, and a diaphragm separating said electrodes, said diaphragm being placed on aslant below the positive electrode, whereby the escape of the gas formed at the negative electrode is facilitated and the efiiciencyof the cell maintained without exposing the diaphragm to the action of the gas formed at the positive electrode, substantially as shown and described.

An electrolytic cell adapted to maintain the liquid which is in contact with the positive electrode on a higher level than the liquid in contact with the negative electrode, and having an outer vessel, as n, containing liquid of the same level as the liquid in contact with the positive electrode and connected there with, and means for breaking the circuit when the level of theliquid in the outer vessel falls, whereby when the diaphragm breaks the circuit will be broken, substantially as shown and described.

6. An electrolytic cell adapted to maintain the liquid which is in contact with the positive electrode on a higher level than the liquid in contact with the negative electrode, and having an outer vessel, as 01, containing liquid of the same level as the liquid in contact with the positive electrode and connected therewith, whereby when the diaphragm breaks the change of level in the liquid of the outer vessel will indicate the breaking of the diaphragm,substantially as shown and described.

7. An electrolytic cell comprising the combination, with a tank to contain liquid, of a bell in said tank, a positive electrode in said bell, a negative electrode below said bell, a flexible diaphragm between said electrodes, a magnet in circuit with a conductor, a pivoted armature also in circuit with said conductor, a vessel or compartment to contain a liquid which is to be on a level with the liquid within the bell, and which is connected with the liquid in the latter, and aweightpartly or wholly immersed in the liquid of said vessel or compartment, whereby when said diaphragm breaks the liquid in said vessel or compartment will be lowered and the armature will be separated from the said magnet, breaking the circuit, substantially as set forth.

8. An electrolytic cell comprising the combination, with a tank to contain liquid, of a bell, of earthenware or similar inactive material, said bell having a closed top, a positive electrode within the said bell, hollow metallic supports for said electrode, said supports passing through the top of said bell, and some or all of the same serving to admit the liquid to the cell to convey the electric current and to discharge the' gas formed at the positive electrode, substantially as set forth.

ERNEST ARTHUR LE SUEUR.

Witnesses:

WM. A. lllAOLEOD, RoB'r. WALLAoE. 

